Anti-hike hartal ends with hitch

Monday's half-day hartal to protest soaring prices of commodities like edible oil and utility services ended with clashes between pro-strike activists and police in Dhaka city.
The Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), a coalition of left-leaning political parties in Bangladesh, called the nationwide strike.
LDA leaders and activists blockaded Paltan and Shahbagh intersections with chanting slogans demanding the issuance of a ration card for the people in need.
But the protest turned chaotic when police stepped into the scene to disperse strikers with water cannon and teargas shells at Paltan around 11:00 am.
Angered by this strict police stance, the protesters retaliated with hurling brick chips, triggering a clash that lasted for more than 30 minutes.
Several people, including police personnel, were injured in the chase and counter-chase incident.
Citing police aggression, Gonosanghati Andolon chief coordinator Zonaid Saki said police suddenly stormed into their people as they were protesting peacefully.The police attack left many of their people injured. They were taken to hospital for treatment, he added.
"Police also picked several leaders and activists of the alliance from various parts of the capital during hartal hours," he alleged.
In protest of attacks and arrests of its activists by law-enforcers, the LDA convened a nationwide programme for today (Tuesday).
Saiful Haque, coordinator of the alliance, said they would take out a procession at Paltan the same day.
They demanded breaking the business syndicates who are manipulating the market and also introducing a ration card for those who need it most.
Earlier, leaders and activists of Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Gonosanghati Andolon and Biplobi Workers Party marched in processions and took position at Paltan intersection after parading through Motijheel and Gulistan areas.
Pragatishil Chhatra Jote and Chhatra Union activists also took out processions from the Teacher-Student Centre of Dhaka University and took position at Shahbagh, chanting slogans.
The LDA called hartal in protest against rising commodity prices, including utility services and daily essential like edible oil, rice, lentils and onion.
The strike worsened the traffic situation across the city as transport remained stuck on road for long because of the road blockade and clashes.
Our Ctg Correspondent adds: The half-day hartal passed off peacefully in the port city of Chattogram.
However, motorised vehicles were off the streets till 11:00 am. Later, rickshaws and other vehicles and rickshaws started to ply. Shopping malls remained open.
Loading and unloading at Chattogram port were normal during hartal hours. But the delivery of cargo was suspended, Chittagong Port Authority sources said.

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